The combined use of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors in Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced bovine mastitis

Abstract

The effect of combined administration of flunixin meglumine (FM) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on milk prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) concentrations, and inflammatory indicators of bovine mastitis was examined. Mastitis was induced in six Holstein cows by the inoculation of Klebsiella pneumoniae via the teat canal. Four cows were intravenously treated with FM (1.1 mg/kg) and NDGA (10 mg/kg) 1 hour prior to bacterial inoculation and again at post inoculation hour (PIH) 11. Two control cows were intravenously treated with equivalent volume doses of sterile isotonic saline solution at the same post inoculation time points. Combined use of FM and NDGA was effective in reducing elevations in milk PGF2 alpha levels and slightly effective in reducing elevations in milk LTB4 levels in the mastitic cows. Elevations in milk bovine serum albumin (BSA) levels were partially reduced during the early post inoculation time period in the FM and NDGA treated cows as compared to the saline treated control cows. Milk somatic cell counts from inoculated quarters were not significantly altered by FM and NDGA treatment. Elevations in rectal temperature were not reduced by FM and NDGA treatment, but clinical signs of quarter inflammation (warmth and swelling) were reduced by FM and NDGA treatment.